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7 <br />citizens about sites and areas to drill wells could provide an important service to <br />County citizens, <br />B. Technical Assistance to Citizens, Departments and Boards <br />(ERCD, Planning, Health, County Engineer, others) <br />In addition to citizens, staff and boards have occasionally needed advice and <br />assistance on groundwater quality and quantity questions for new development <br />proposals. A mechanism to provide for expert review of plans for proposed public <br />water supplies that will be ground water based would be helpful. This function <br />could provide support to the Planning Department regarding the adequacy of <br />recharge areas/lot sizes to support ground-water based supply in new <br />developments. The basis for this evaluation would be the recharge analysis <br />performed in the 1996 USGS report. To foster sustainable development, it is <br />important that adequate recharge areas are available, because otherwise wells <br />could ultimately fail. <br />C. Ground-water Database Management and Analysis <br />(ERCD, Health) <br />The County has built a large database of information about wells constructed <br />since 1996. However, information management and quality control/review of the <br />ground water/well construction database is needed, This function could include <br />site visits, if necessary, and periodical performance of statistical analyses and <br />map distribution of well yields as the size and quality of the database increases. <br />The USGS (2001) study analyzed data from 649 wells. The County could use <br />new data and a larger data set to further refine its estimates and maps. These <br />new products would enhance the ability to perform item B (technical assistance) <br />above, as well, and would be beneficial to both the public and to County <br />departments. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS <br />The Commission for the Environment recommends that the Board of <br />Commissioners consider and adapt the proposed Water Resources Initiative, and <br />provide the support to implement the Initiative effectively, <br />